Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Frost dates and the Year of the Hydrangea
Throwing seeds of lettuce and radishes on your soil right now is fine, they germinate in soil temps of about 35.
Most cool season crops germinate when soil and air temperatures are at least 40 degrees and above. Those crops include carrots, beets and cole crops like broccoli and cauliflower.
The AVERAGE last official frost date for Zones 3 and 4 is May 15th while zones 5 and 6 is looking at about April 15th. However, here’s a tool from the National Gardening Association where you use your zipcode to narrow down the frost date.
PLEASE keep in mind that this is an average, which means we could still face frost. Another site to check is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
2020 has been named the Year of the Hydrangea by the National Garden Bureau. Hydrangeas are one of the most sought-after shrubs in North America! And there are some beauties!
There are different types of hydrangeas. I have paniculata and arborescens, two of the types that bloom on new wood and last year I picked up a macrophylla, also called bigleaf, which blooms on both old and new wood, so needs very little pruning, if any. It’s called ‘Seaside Serenade’ and I planted it late in 2019. I’m hoping for good results.
Last year my ‘Vanilla Strawberry’ paniculatas were outstanding!
